128 Team MLB Tournament - Round One, Region Seven, Series 5-6

Series 3-4

10. 1907 Chicago Cubs v. 119. 2018  Los Angeles Dodgers

-the 2017 Dodgers have advanced already and the 2019 Dodgers are still to come.  The Cubs won the whole thing; the Dodgers won the pennant.

Dodgers-Dave Roberts

2B Muncy (27)     161   4.8

3B Turner (33)     151   5.1

LF Pederson (26)  125  2.7

1B Bellinger (22)  120   3.8

C Grandal (29)     121   4.7

SS Machado (25)  122   2.5

RF Puig (27)         120   2

CF Taylor (27)     110    3.1

P Kershaw (30)   142    4.5

Bench

LF Kemp (33)     121     2

CF Hernandez (26)  117   2.8

SP2 Buehler (23)  148       3.8

SP3 Stripling (28)  128     2.9

The Dodgers have so many hitters; Corey Seager won't see the field; Kiki Hernandez will only play if Taylor doesn't hit - and Kemp/Pederson is a straight platoon.  Kershaw is the only LH the Dodgers will throw.

Cubs-Frank Chance

1B Chance (30)   131  5.2

C Kling (31)        122  4

3B Steinfeldt (31)  101  4.2

RF Schulte (24)   121    2.2

LF Sheckard (28)  113  2.2

CF Slagle (33)     100     1.3

2B Hofman (24)  95       2.8

SS Tinker (26)    65       2.4

P Lundgren (27)  211    3.9

Bench

2B Evers (25)  90           5

SP2 Pfiester (29)  214    1.8

SP3 Brown (30)   178     4.9

This could be Tinker's only start, Evers will play second the rest of the way with Hofman, most likely, sliding to short.  Cubs have only 8 pitchers.  Cubs have seed advantage, hey gave WAR advantage at 1B-2B(when Evers plays)SS(when Hofman slides to SS)-RF-SP3

  

1st: 27 year old RH Carl Lundgren gets the ball for the Cubs in Game 1; 18-7, 1.17; after the first out Justin Turner singles after the second out, Cody Bellinger singles - Yasmani Grandal then walks to load the bases but Lundgren escapes.  

1st: 30 year old lefty Clayton Kershaw was 9-5, 2.73 - he gives up a Frank Chance single, and then after the first out Harry Steinfeldt launches a bomb into the West Side Ground bleachers and it's 2-0 right off the jump. Frank Schulte then singles, the inning ends Dodgers 0 Cubs 2

2nd: Yasiel Puig singles, two outs later Max Muncy singles, it ends there.

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: 1-2-3

3rd: Johnny Kling singles with one out, nothing else.

4th: Chris Taylor walks with 2 out, nothing else.

4th: Jimmy Sheckard singles, an out later Jimmy Slagle singles, Joe Tinker singles - then Lundgren and Chance single back to back to score 2 more runs. Dodgers 0 Cubs 4

5th: Max Muncy walks - that's it.

5th: Steinfeldt singles, that's all.

6th: Machado walks after two out and then Puig singles again - but nothing results.  

6th: Solly Hofman singles with one out, that's it.

7th: Chick Fraser is a 33 year old RH and he comes on; great 6 innings for Lundgren and he turns the game over - he gives up a base hit to Kershaw, who Roberts leaves in the game - after an out, Turner singles, and then Joc Pederson singles and the Dodgers have loaded the bases.  Still only one out - and Fraser gets out of it.  Sure looks like the Cubs are taking this one.

7th: Chance walks and an out later Steinfeldt singles - but nothing else.

8th: Grandal and Machado single - and then Puig reaches by error - and now the Dodgers again have loaded the bases and this time there is nobody out.  Taylor singles - scoring Grandal.  33 year old Matt Kemp will hit for Kershaw - and Fraser walks him and now it's 4-2 and still - still nobody out.  33 year old right hander Jack Taylor enters -- and he doesn't give up another run - that might have saved this game for Chicago.  Dodgers 2 Cubs 4

8th: 32 year old right hander Josh Fields has a 2.20 ERA and he's the new Dodger pitcher, 1-2-3.

9th: Joc Pederson has an epic at bat - 14 pitches - and eventually he walks.  Tying run to the plate.  Bellinger singles.  Pederson goes all the way to third.  Tying run at first.  Nobody out - Grandal grounds out - but it scores a run - it's 4-3, Taylor gets Machado.  2 outs.  And then he gets Puig to end the game.

Dodgers 3

Cubs 4

WP Lundgren

LP Kershaw

Spirited comeback just falls short. 

For the Cubs - Chance reached 3 times, so did Kling and Steinfeldt had that big home run.

For LA-everyone in the lineup reached twice.  How about that?

We go to Dodger Stadium, can LA keep the series alive?

LF Sheckard (28)  113  2.2

1B Chance (30)   131  5.2

RF Schulte (24)   121    2.2

CF Slagle (33)     100     1.3

C Kling (31)        122  4

2B Evers (25)  90           5

3B Steinfeldt (31)  101  4.2

SS Hofman (24)  95       2.8

SP2 Pfiester (29)  214    1.8

3B Turner (33)     151   5.1

2B Muncy (27)     161   4.8

SS Machado (25)  122   2.5

RF Puig (27)         120   2

LF Kemp (33)     121     2

C Grandal (29)     121   4.7

CF Hernandez (26)  117   2.8

1B Bellinger (22)  120   3.8

SP2 Buehler (23)  148       3.8

1st: 23 year old RH Walker Buehler needs to come up big or the Dodgers go home; 8-5, 2.62 -- he gives up a double to Jimmy Sheckard, and after an out, a Frank Schulte base hit scores him.. Cubs bust out on top - Cubs 1 Dodgers 0

1st: 29 year old lefty Jack Pfiester takes that lead to the hill, 14-9, 1.15 -- he gives up a leadoff single to Justin Turner, nothing else.

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: Sheckard walks with one out, that's all.

3rd: Turner walks with two out, that's all.

4th: 1-2-3

4th: 1-2-3 -- neither team has a hit since the first

5th: Johnny Evers is in the lineup the rest of the series and he singles, but that's all.

5th: Yasmani Grandal singles. Only LAs second hit.  But that's it and they are getting anxious at Dodgers Stadium.

6th: After an out, Sheckard hits his second double - and after the second out - Schulte once again singles him home.  Cubs 2 Dodgers 0    

6th: 1-2-3 -- oh, man.  Now the anxiety really picks up here in LA

7th: Jimmy Slagle singles, two outs later Johnny Evers doubles -- but Buehler keeps the Cubs from adding to their lead.

7th: 1-2-3 -- Pfiester is two hitting the Dodgers.

8th: Josh Fields enters for LA -- he gives up a Solly Hofman single, two outs later Hofman's standing at third from which he scores on a Frank Chance base hit - and that might end this series. Cubs 3 Dodgers 0

8th: Chick Fraser enters for the Cubs, six outs from moving forward - he gets one, but then gives up a Bellinger single - but nothing else.  

9th: Pedro Baez is a 30 year old RH and he enters - and loads the bases.  Schulte walks, Slagle singles, Kling walks. After an out, the Cubs score on a Steinfeldt grounder, then again on a Hofman base hit, 27 year old RH Dylan Floro comes on to end the inning.  Sure looks like it's too late.  Cubs 5 Dodgers 0

9th: 1-2-3

Cubs 5

Dodgers 0

WP Pfiester

LP Buehler

Cubs pitching just shut down this Dodger offense; they score 3 runs and get swept.  Sheckard reached 4 times; so did Chance, so did Schulte, so did Kling, Steinfeldt led in total bases.  Let's say the two starting pitchers, neither of whom gave up a run, are co-MVPs, Lundgren/Pfiester.

The 1907 Cubs move on - they'll meet the winner of this one:

54. 1954 New York Yankees v. 75. 1913 Philadelphia Athletics

-The '52 and '53 Yankees have moved forward; '51 is still to come.  This Yankee team finished second; the A's won the whole thing.

Athletics-Connie Mack

1B McInnis (22)  136   5.5

C Schang (23)     138   2.6

2B Collins (26)    164   9.3

3B Baker (27)      167  8

LF Oldring (29)   113  3.3

RF Murphy (21)  121  2.2

SS Barry (26)       111   5.1

CF Walsh (25)     101   1.5

P Plank (37)        106   3.2

Bench

CF Strunk (24)  134    2.2

SP2 Shawkey (22)  118  .6

SP3 Brown (24)   94     .6

Platoon in CF for Mack. 

Yankees-Casey Stengel

3B Carey (22)  121       4.7 

1B Skowron (23)  167  1.9

CF Mantle (22)     158   5.8

RF Bauer (31)   127      2.7

C Berra (29)     137       5.7

LF Noren (29)  138       3.5

2B McDougald (26)  117  3.8

SS Rizzuto (36)  52       .3

P Ford (25)      123       4.1

Bench

1B Collins (31)  125      1.9

SS Miranda (28)  79     .1

SP2 Grim (24)   107     2.4

SP3 Byrd (29)   116      1.3

Platoons at 1B/SS for Casey.  Yankees are seed favorites, they have WAR advantage at C-LF-CF-RF-all 3 SP

1st: Whitey Ford is a 25 year old lefty; 16-8, 2.82 -- he gives up a leadoff base hit to Stuffy McInnis and after an out, Eddie Collins singles - former Yankee Home Run Baker then singles to score a run; and then Rube Oldring doubles and that scores two. Big start for the A's Athletics 3 Yankees 0

1st: 37 year old lefty Eddie Plank gets the ball for the A's, he gives up a single to Andy Carey, but that's it.

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: Irv Noren will get the LF start in each game of the series; he singles with one out and then Gil McDougald walks, Phil Rizzuto then singles and the Yankees have loaded them up - after the second out, Carey singles again, scoring two. Moose Skowron walks - and then Mickey Mantle singles and the Yankees have taken the lead.  Athletics 3 Yankees 4

3rd: McInnis singles again and Wally Schang walks - but Ford keeps the A's off the board.

3rd: After an out, Noren singles again, that's it.

4th: Eddie Murphy singles, after two outs, Jimmy Walsh singles - Ford constantly in trouble, but the A's don't score.

4th: Andy Carey doubles with one out, that's three hits for Carey - but that's it.

5th: Schang walks with one out, that's all.

5th: 20 year old RH Bullet Joe Bush gets the call from Mack - 15 wins on the season; he's the A's 5th starter - Hank Bauer greets him with a base hit - after two outs - they intentionally walk McDougald to face the light hitting Rizzuto - it works.  

6th: 1-2-3

6th: 1-2-3

7th: 1-2-3, Ford has really settled down.

7th: Mantle singles - that's it; nice bullpen outing for Bush.  

8th: 1-2-3, 11 straight for Ford

8th: 1-2-3 -- we head to the 9th, game still in the balance.

9th: The Yankee closer is 36 year old RH Johnny Sain; 26 saves and a 3.16 ERA - he walks Rube Oldring with one out - the A's do not have a hit since the 4th; Oldring then steals second --- and he scores the tying run on a Murphy single.  Just like that - it's Athletics 4 Yankees 4

9th: Bush still in the game - he walks Carey and the winning run is on base.  But he doesn't advance - and we head to extras.

10th: Amos Strunk pinch-singles with one out; but nothing results.  

10th: 21 year old RH Byron Houck comes on for Mack - he won 14 games on the year; 1-2-3

11th: 29 year RH Tom Gorman with his 2.29 ERA gets the call from Casey - Schang greets him with a base hit - but nothing results.

11th: 1-2-3

12th: The Yankees turn to 37 year old RH Allie Reynolds; he won 13 games on the season - 1-2-3

12th: Moose Skowron singles with one out - that brings up Mantle - Houck is understandably super, super cautious and walks him on four pitches.  Winning run in scoring position now - only the one out - and then Hank Bauer walks.

That's gonna load them up - still just one out- winning run only 90 feet away.

Full count to Yogi.

And he walks him. 

A's 4

Yankees 5

WP Reynolds

LP Houck

A Walk Off Walk for New York in the 12th.  Carey reached 4 times; Skowron twice, scoring the winning run; Mantle 3 times, Bauer/Noren/McDougald all twice.  

For the A's, McInnis reached twice, Schang 3 times, Oldring twice, Murphy twice.  

We go to Philadelphia - A's need to win to extend the series.  The 1907 Cubs await the winner.

LF Noren (29)  138       3.5

C Berra (29)     137       5.7

CF Mantle (22)     158   5.8

1B Collins (31)  125      1.9

RF Bauer (31)   127      2.7

3B Carey (22)  121       4.7 

2B McDougald (26)  117  3.8

SS Miranda (28)  79     .1

SP2 Grim (24)   107     2.4, 

RF Murphy (21)  121  2.2

2B Collins (26)    164   9.3

3B Baker (27)      167  8

CF Strunk (24)  134    2.2

C Schang (23)     138   2.6

1B McInnis (22)  136   5.5

LF Oldring (29)   113  3.3

SS Barry (26)       111   5.1

SP2 Shawkey (22)  118  .6

1st: Right hander Bob Shawkey will spend most of his career with the Yankees, but now he's 22 years old and getting the ball for the A's, 6-5, 2.34. He walks Irv Noren - gives up a single to Yogi Berra - and then Mickey Mantle nearly breaks the ball in half - a Roy Hobbesian blast that makes his game 3-0 before a single out is recorded. Two outs later Hank Bauer singles, the Yankees are up early, Yankees 3 Athletics 0

1st: 24 year old RH Bob Grim was 20-6, 3.26, 1-2-3

2nd: After two out, Noren walks, again - Yogi singles, again - this time Shawkey doesn't throw a pitch near Mantle and the bases are loaded - and he escapes.  

2nd: After an out, Wally Schang homers to dead center and it's 3-1. An out later, Rube Oldring doubles, that's all.  Yankees 3 Athletics 1

3rd: 1-2-3

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: 1-2-3

4th: Home Run Baker doubles and Amos Strunk singles - the A's have them on the corners and nobody is out. Wally Schang singles and it's Yankees 3 Athletics 2

5th: Yogi walks and after an out, Joe Collins singles -- a run scores on a Bauer groundout, Yankees 4 A's 2

5th: Eddie Murphy singles with two out, that's all.

6th: Byron Houck is the new A's pitcher - he gives up a one out single to Willy Miranda, nothing else.

6th: Grim hits Home Run Baker - he'll be erased on an Amos Strunk groundout - but Strunk will steal second and then score on a Schang double.  Yankees 4 Athletics 3

7th: Mantle walks with one out, that's all.

7th: Barry reached on an error, two outs later Eddie Murphy singles, that's all.

8th: 29 year old right hander Chief Bender won 21 games and he's the new Philly pitcher - he gives up a one out McDougald single - after the second out, Moose Skowron pinch singles - but thats it.

8th: Tom Gorman takes over for Stengel - 6 outs from advancing - after two out, he walks Schang and McInnis back to back - tying run in scoring position - but that's where the inning ends.

9th: Mantle singles with one out - but we head to the bottom of the 9th, Yanks 4-3.

9th: Johnny Sain looks to wrap up the series - he gets the first two and then Eddie Murphy singles - that brings Eddie Collins, the A's legendary second baseman, to the plate.  He's the winning run - Murphy the tying run.

Sain gets him and its done.

Yankees 4

Athletics 3

WP Grim

LP Shawkey

Mantle's got this one - he reached 7 times, hit that 3 run homer today; he's the MVP.

128 Team MLB Tournament - Round One, Region Seven, Series 3-4

Series 1-2

The '99 Braves and '09 Yankees have advanced; let's add two more teams for Region 7.

26. 2019 Houston Astros v. 103. 1948 New York Yankees

-The 2017 Astros have advanced; this is Houston's last first round team. The '41,'43,'47,'49 Yankees have all advanced. Neither squad won the Series; the Yankees finished third, the Astros won the pennant.  Can New York place a full half of their teams from the 40s into the next round?

Yankees-Bucky Harris

DH Keller  (31)   111    .9

RF Henrich (35)  151    5.7

CF DiMaggio (33)  164  7.6

LF Lindell (31)    139    2.4

C Berra (23)         120    2.7

2B Brown (23)     111    1.8

1B McQuinn (38)  102  1

3B Johnson (29)   114    2.3

SS Rizzuto (30)    79     1.5

P Lopat (30)         112    2.9

Bench

2B Stirnweiss (29)  87   2.4

DH Niarhos (27)     99   1.9

SP2 Reynolds (31)  108   2.6

SP3 Raschi (29)      106    3.5

Astros have a LH ready in game 3; Yanks will platoon at 2B/DH.

Astros-AJ Hinch

RF Springer (29)     150  6.5

3B Bregman (25)    162  9.2

DH Alvarez (22)     173  3.8

SS Correa (24)        137  3.3

2B Altuve (29)        131  3.7

1B Gurriel (35)        126  3.8

LF Brantley (32)     126   3.9

C Chirinos (35)       105   2.8

CF Marisnick (28)   80    1.4

P Verlander (36)      179   7.6

Bench

RF Reddick (32)     89   1.6

SP2 Cole (28)         185  7.5

SP3 Miley (32)       116  1.6

Reddick/Marisnick is a platoon; Yanks going RH in games 2-3. Astros are seed favorites; they are WAR favorites at C-1B-2B-SS-3B-LF-RF and the first two SP; that is real war dominance.

1st: 36 year old RH Justin Verlander stands on the Minute Maid mound; 21-6, 2.58 -- he gives up a leadoff single to Charlie Keller, getting what is likely his only start of the series - and then after an out, he gives up a moon shot - just an absolute bomb - to Joe DiMaggio - deep into the LF sky.  Yankees 2 Astros 0

1st: New York sends 30 year old lefty Eddie Lopat to the hill; 17-11, 3.65. 1-2-3

2nd: George McQuinn leads off with a triple but Verlander leaves him at third.

2nd: Altuve/Gurriel single with one out but Lopat keeps Houston off the board.

3rd: Tommy Henrich walks with one out, nothing else.

3rd: Marisnick and Springer reach on back to back Yankee errors; Bregman singles to score a run - and after the first out, a Lopat wild pitch scores the second to tie the game. Correa then singles to score the third run and just like that, Yankees 2 Astros 3

4th: Berra singles to start - that's all.

4th: Brantley doubles and an out later Marisnick singles him home; after the second out Bregman singles home the 5th Houston run.  Yankees 2 Astros 5

5th: Henrich walks with two out and then DiMaggio doubles - Johnny Lindell then singles both home and it's Yankees 4 Astros 5

5th: 1-2-3

6th: Billy Johnson hits a two out single, nothing else.

6th: Brantley singles and an out later Marisnick singles; Springer then singles and the Astros add a 6th run; Yankees 4 Astros 6

7th: Houston goes to the pen.  34 year old right hander Will Harris; he's got a 1.50 ERA - he walks Charlie Keller, but the Yanks don't threaten.

7th: Yordan Alvarez hits Lopat's first pitch over the wall and the Astros are now up 3.  28 year old lefty Tommy Byrne comes on for New York - he gives up a one out Altuve double, but we head to the 8th, Yankees 4 Astros 7

8th: 31 year old right hander Hector Rondon is next - he walks Bobby Brown with one out and gives up a Billy Johnson single after the second out -- tying run to the plate -- but Rondon keeps New York off the board.

8th: 1-2-3...and it's the 9th.

9th: 24 year old right hander Roberto Osuna has 38 saves and a 2.63 ERA - after an out, Henrich singles - then DiMaggio singles - Osuna gets the second out - tying run to the plate - and Yogi Triples!  Yogi hits a bases clearing Triple - all of the sudden it is 7-6 and the tying run is 90 feet away!  

Osuna pitches very carefully to Brown - walks him on 4 pitches.  Go ahead run on base.

McQuinn hits a deep fly ball -- deep into RF -- Springer is all the way at the fence -

And he catches the ball and ends the game.

Yankees 6

Astros 7

WP Verlander

LP Lopat

2 hits and 2 RBI for Bregman; Alvarez hit what turned out to be a big home run; 2 hits each for Altuve/Brantley/Marisnick

For the Yankees, Keller reached twice, Henrich 3 times; DiMaggio had 3 hits, 3 RBI, two runs scored, Lindell and Yogi both had two hits and 2 RBI, Yogi nearly brought the Yanks back into this game in the 9th; Brown and Johnson both reached twice.

Let's go to Yankee Stadium for Game 2.

LF Brantley (32)     126   3.9

3B Bregman (25)    162  9.2

CF Springer (29)     150  6.5

SS Correa (24)        137  3.3

2B Altuve (29)        131  3.7

1B Gurriel (35)        126  3.8

C Chirinos (35)       105   2.8

RF Reddick (32)     89   1.6

SP2 Cole (28)         185  7.5

RF Henrich (35)  151    5.7  

CF DiMaggio (33)  164  7.6

LF Lindell (31)    139    2.4

C Berra (23)         120    2.7

2B Brown (23)     111    1.8

1B McQuinn (38)  102  1

3B Johnson (29)   114    2.3

SS Rizzuto (30)    79     1.5

SP2 Reynolds (31)  108   2.6

1st: 31 year old RH Allie Reynolds stands between the Astros and the second round; 16-7, 3.77; Alex Bregman doubles with one out, that's all. 

1st: 28 year old RH Gerrit Cole is going to get some time to get used to the Yankee Stadium mound, he's a visitor in this one, 20-5, 2.50 -- he gives up a leadoff walk to Henrich; two outs later he's standing at second - and he scores easily on a Yogi double down the RF line. Astros 0 Yankees 1

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: Michael Brantley singles with 2 out, nothing else.

3rd: Tommy Henrich walks again, with one out -- and then he scores again on a DiMaggio double. Astros 0 Yankees 2

4th: 1-2-3

4th: 1-2-3

5th: Yuli Gurriel walks and an out later so does Josh Reddick - Cole helps himself by punching a single to left and the Astros have them loaded up with only one away.  Brantley lashes a base hit to right center, that scores two and ties this game up.  Reynolds walks Bregman to load the bases again - and then he walks George Springer and the Astros have the lead.  Here's the hook for Reynolds - 30 year old RH Red Embree enters; he walks Carlos Correa and now it's 4-2.  Jose Altuve then smashes a double - that clears the bases and the Astros have scored 7 runs here in the 5th. Houston's batted around - Gurriel doubles and now it's 8 runs. Astros 8 Yankees 2

5th: 1-2-3

6th: After two out, Brantley singles and Bregman walks, 30 year old RH Randy Gumpert comes on - Springer doubles - it clears the bases; it's 10-2 and this series is over.  Correa then triples - that makes it 11-2 and then Gumpert throws one away.  Houston is pounding the Yankees Astros 12 Yankees 2

6th: 1-2-3

7th: 28 year old RH Karl Drews is the new Yankee pitcher; 1-2-3

7th: McQuinn walks with one out, nothing else  Cole has only given up 2 hits.

8th: Tommy Byrne is next for the Yanks; 1-2-3

8th: 1-2-3

9th: Springer walks, an out later Altuve singles, but that's all the Astros get today.

9th: Cole gives way to 35 year old RH Joe Smith; he walks Lindell; two out later Brown singles, but it ends here.

Astros 12

Yankees 2

WP Cole

LP Reynolds

Cole goes 8, gives up just 2 hits and the Astros sweep the series. Brantley has 5 hits in the series; Bregman also reached 5 times, Springer reached 3 times today, had 3 RBI and scored 2. Correa had that triple today; Altuve reached 4 times in the series and had 3 RBI today.  Let's say Brantley is the MVP of this one.

The 2019 Astros move on - they face the winner of this one:

 

39. 1917 Chicago White Sox v. 90. 1949 Boston Red Sox

-The White Sox have yet to advance a team forward; this is their last chance. A 20th century Red Sox team hasn't advanced yet, they've got two shots remaining.  The White Sox are two years away from scandal - this is Ted Williams's last shot to advance. Boston finished 2nd in the AL and the White Sox won the whole thing.

Red Sox-Joe McCarthy

3B Pesky (30)   104   3.6

LF Williams (30)  191  9.2

SS Stephens (28)   137  7.1

2B Doerr (31)        127  5.3

CF DiMaggio (32)  111  4.1

RF Zarilla (30)     98     .7

1B Goodman (23)  91    1

C Tebbetts (36)      83    .9

P Parnell (27)        158  7.9

Bench

SP2 Kinder (34)  130    4.5

SP3 Stobbs (19)   109    2.1

SP3 Dobson (32)  114    3

McCarthy's rolling out the same 8 for each game; Chuck Stobbs is 19, the youngest player in the tournament, he and Dobson is a LH/RH choice if we get to game 3.

White Sox-Pants Rowland

CF Felsch (25)   128   4.4

2B Collins (30)   128   5.8

LF Jackson (29) 143   5.6

SS Weaver (26)  110    2.9

1B Gandil (29)   91     1.2

C Schalk (24)     89     3.8

RF Leibold (25)  94    1.2

3B McMullin (25)  81  .3

P Cicotte (33)     174    9.7

Bench:

SP2 Russell (28)   137   3.8

SP3 Faber (28)     139   2.2

A negative WAR for starting SS Risberg results in Weaver's sliding over and McMullin moving into the lineup.  Rowland will send the same 8 out in each game.  White Sox are seed favorites; they have WAR advantage at C-1B-2B-CF-RF-SP1(maybe SP3)

1st: 33 year old right hander Eddie Cicotte was 28-12, 1.53 ERA, he gives up a leadoff single to Johnny Pesky, an out later Vern Stephens singles - but that's it.

1st:  27 year old lefty Mel Parnell was 25-7, 2.77, Happy Felsch and Eddie Collins open with base hits -Shoeless Joe grounds into a double play but that scores a run; Buck Weaver doubles - the inning ends Red Sox 0 White Sox 1

2nd: Al Zarilla singles, that's it.

2nd: Ray Schalk walks, that's it.

3rd: Pesky singles again; again, Boston does not score.

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: Cicotte hits Joe's brother Dom. After an out, Billy Goodman doubles him home to tie the score. Red Sox 1 White Sox 1

4th: Jackson/Weaver single; two outs later Nemo Leibold singles home Jackson and it's Red Sox 1 White Sox 2

5th: Pesky's aboard again with a walk, after an out, Stephens doubles - and then Bobby Doerr triples both men home and Boston has their first lead of the day. DiMaggio singles for another run; Zarilla singles to put them on the corners - Goodman singles DiMaggio home and it's 5-2; Zarilla scores on a Tebbetts grounder - let's assume Cicotte is trying as hard as he can and just got hit today, as he exits for 31 year old RH Joe Benz. Big inning.  Red Sox 6 White Sox 2

5th: Felsch singles with two out, nothing else.

6th: Pesky walks again, that's it.

6th: Chick Gandil hits a 2 out single and then Ray Schalk doubles him home. Red Sox 6 White Sox 3

7th: 1-2-3

7th: Fred McMullin singles, two outs later Felsch singles and Eddie Collins walks - but Parnell gets Jackson in the huge spot; we assume the White Sox are trying, but they are losing today.

8th: 27 year old lefty Dave Danforth is the new White Sox pitcher; 1-2-3

8th: Gandil hits a one out triple. Schalk walks - tying run comes to the plate, but Chicago can't capitalize.

9th: Pesky singles - he's reached 5 times and then Ted Williams singles for the first time, after an out, Pesky scores on an error and DiMaggio walks - Zarilla hits a bases clearing double and this one is done.  Goodman singles Zarilla home. Tebbetts then singles, Boston's busted it open, Red Sox 11 White Sox 3

9th: Eddie Collins hits a two out single and Jackson doubles him home; but that's all.

Red Sox 11

White Sox 4

WP Parnell

LP Cicotte

Pesky reaches 5 times and scores twice; Stephens has 2 hits, DiMaggio reached 3 times and scores 3 runs, Goodman has 3 hits and 3 RBI, 

For Chicago, Felsch has 3 hits, Collins reached 3 times, Jackson/Weaver/Gandil all had 2 hits, Schalk reached 3 times.

We go to Fenway - the Red Sox looking to end this thing.

2B Collins (30)   128   5.8

LF Jackson (29) 143   5.6

CF Felsch (25)   128   4.4

SS Weaver (26)  110    2.9

RF Leibold (25)  94    1.2

1B Gandil (29)   91     1.2

C Schalk (24)     89     3.8

3B McMullin (25)  81  .3

SP2 Russell (28)   137   3.8

CF DiMaggio (32)  111  4.1

2B Doerr (31)        127  5.3

LF Williams (30)  191  9.2

SS Stephens (28)   137  7.1

3B Pesky (30)   104   3.6

C Tebbetts (36)      83    .9

RF Zarilla (30)     98     .7

1B Goodman (23)  91    1

SP2 Kinder (34)  130    4.5

1st: 34 year old RH Ellis Kinder looks to push the first 20th C Red Sox team forward to the next round; 23-6, 3.36, 1-2-3

1st: Reb Russell is a 28 year old LH, 15-5, 1.95, 1-2-3

2nd: 1-2-3

2nd: Vern Stephens opens with a base hit; thats it.

3rd: 1-2-3 - Kinder moves easily through the lineup.

3rd: Billy Goodman doubles; and out later Dom DiMaggio walks - but Boston doesn't score.

4th: Happy Felsch doubles with two outs, Chicago's only baserunner through 4.

4th: Johnny Pesky singles with 2 out, thats all.  Let's go to the 5th.  Pitcher's duel.

5th: Nemo Leibold singles and then after an out, Ray Schalk walks - but Kinder gets through it.

5th: Al Zarilla hits one off the monster and he is running - never breaking stride he hits second and goes to third -- and he is running home - there has never been an inside the park homer in this tournament -- and it doesn't happen now - Shoeless Joe guns him down at the plate and the game remains scoreless.  After the second out, Kinder singles, but we head to the 6th - still scoreless.  

6th: Russell matches Kinder with a single of his own, but nothing results.

6th: Ted Williams singles with one out - but now we are going to the 7th, still scoreless.

7th: Felsch walks - steals second - and then scores on a Buck Weaver base hit.  The White Sox are on the scoreboard and McCarthy goes right to the pen for 33 year old RH Ted Hughson; Kinder's only given up 4 hits but his day is over - and so is the inning. White Sox 1 Red Sox 0

7th: 1-2-3

8th: Eddie Murphy pinch singles with one out, but that's all.

8th: 27 year old RH Dave Danforth comes on for the White Sox - 6 outs from forcing game 3. He gives up back to back singles from DiMaggio and Doerr - and then Williams singles to tie the score.  Still 2 on, still nobody out -- Joe Benz, 31 year old RH enters - he gets a Vern Stephens double play - the lead run moves up to third -- but he strands it there.  White Sox 1 Red Sox 1

9th: Buck Weaver singles with two out and the Sox are back to the pen, 30 year old lefty Earl Johnson - and he ends it.  Bottom of the 9th.  

9th: Tebbetts singles.  Zarilla singles.  Fenway is up and shouting - series clinching run standing at second base.  Goodman strikes out.  One away.  Billy Hitchcock comes off the bench and draws a walk.

Bases loaded.  One out.  Tie game.  Bottom of the 9th. 

Dom DiMaggio lines a base hit to left - and it's over.  Joe's brother ends the series.

White Sox 1

Red Sox 2

WP Johnson

LP Benz

Dom DiMaggio reached 6 times in the series and drove in the clinching run in the bottom of the 9th; he's easily the MVP - 

The 1949 Red Sox will face the 2019 Astros in the next round.  

128 Team MLB Tournament - Round One, Region Seven, Series 1-2

Region 6  is here.

3/4 of the way through Round One.  Here are the Region 7 matchups:

7. 1909 Pittsburgh Pirates v. 122. 1999 Atlanta Braves

-A Pirates team has yet to advance and this is their final chance. One of the Bobby Cox teams has moved forward and there are two shots in Region 7

58. 1905 Chicago Cubs v. 71. 2009 New York Yankees

-The 1909 and 1910 Cubs have both advanced; two more shots for this era in Region 7. There isn't a 21st century Yankee team moving forward yet; they have two shots left to do that.

26. 2019 Houston Astros v. 103. 1948 New York Yankees

-The 2017 Astros have advanced; this is Houston's last first round team. The '41,'43,'47,'49 Yankees have all advanced.

39. 1917 Chicago White Sox v. 90. 1949 Boston Red Sox

-The White Sox have yet to advance a team forward; this is their last chance. A 20th century Red Sox team hasn't advanced yet, they've got two shots remaining.

10. 1907 Chicago Cubs v. 119. 2018  Los Angeles Dodgers

-Here's the other Cubs team from that era; the 2017 Dodgers have advanced already and the 2019 Dodgers are still to come.  

54. 1954 New York Yankees v. 75. 1913 Philadelphia Athletics

-The '52 and '53 Yankees have moved forward; '51 is still to come.

23. 1936 New York Yankees v. 106. 1995 Atlanta Braves

-The '37 Yankees have moved forward; the '38 team is still to come. Here's that second Braves club.

42. 1935 Detroit Tigers v. 87. 1983 Baltimore Orioles

-Two 20th century Tigers teams have moved on; here's their last team; 4 Orioles teams are headed forward and here's their last club.

Time to kick it off.  48 spots claimed, 16 left.  Region 7 fills 8 of those spots.

7. 1909 Pittsburgh Pirates v. 122. 1999 Atlanta Braves

-A Pirates team has yet to advance and this is their final chance. One of the Bobby Cox teams has moved forward and there are two shots in Region 7. This Pirate team won the whole thing; Braves won the pennant.

Braves-Bobby Cox

3B Jones (27)      169  6.4

LF Klesko (28)   128  1.2

C Lopez (28)      128  2

1B Simon (24)    109  .2

CF Jones (22)    114   7.4

RF Jordan (32)  104  2.5

2B Lockhart (34)  67  .3

SS Hernandez (29)  71  .3

P Millwood (24)  167   6.5

Bench

2B Boone (30)     83   1.3

LF Williams (32)  99  1.3

SP2 Maddux (33)  126 5.6

SP3 Smoltz (32)   141  6.2

Straight platoon at 2B for Cox; the Bucs probably throw a lefty in game 3; Klesko will slide to first and Williams moves in to left for that one.  No Glavine for the series, he's Atlanta's 4th best starter.

Pirates-Fred Clarke

LF Clarke (36)   131  5.1

SS Wagner (35)  177  9.3

2B Miller (22)    121   4.7

CF Leach (31)   115   3.2

3B Byrne (24)    115   2.2

C Gibson (28)    109   5.4

RF Wilson (25)  106   2

1B Abstein (26)  97    .7

P Camnitz (27)  158   5.4

Bench

SP2 Willis (33)  115  4.1

SP3 Leifeld (25)  109 1.3

SP3 Maddox (22)  116  2.5

Player/manager Clarke will roll out the same 8 each game; theoretically there might be a game 3 pitching decision, but probably they go with the lefty, the only lefty for either team likely to start.  Bucs are seed favorites, they have WAR advantage at 1B(not when Klesko is there)2B-SS-LF; Braves have SP advantage in every game.

1st: The last Pirate team standing sends 27 year old RH Howie Camnitz to the mound; 25-6, 1.62, 1-2-3

1st: Bobby Cox has a team headed to the Round of 64; they look to make it two with 24 year old RH Kevin Millwood; 18-7, 2.68, Honus Wagner doubles with one away - that's all.

2nd: Randall Simon's looking at least at one start; he walks and two outs later, Keith Lockhart, in a similar position, singles. Neither Walt Weiss nor Ozzie Guillen had a positive WAR - so Jose Hernandez gets the start at short and he singles here to plate the game's first run. Braves 1 Pirates 0

2nd: Bobby Byrne walks, that's it.

3rd: Chipper Jones walks and Ryan Klesko singles - Javy Lopez then singles and it's 2-0. Randall Simon walks again and the Braves have loaded them up with nobody out. Andruw Jones singles - that scores Klesko and it's 3-0, Jopez is thrown out at the plate - the wheels are off for Camnitz as he hits Brian Jordan to re-load the bases. Lockhart grounds to third - Byrne throws home -- but Simon is safe and now it's 4-0. Hernandez then grounds to third -- and Byrne kicks this one and now it's 5-0. Milwood helps himself with a base hit -- that's going to score 2, it's 7-0 and the Braves have batted around - and then Chipper just rocks one -- a 3 run shot deep - deep into the Forbes Field bleachers -- the Braves have hung 10 runs on this Pittsburgh team. 37 year old RH Sam Leever replaces Camnitz, he gives up a Klesko single, the inning ends there Braves 10 Pirates 0

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: Jordan hits a one out single, that's it.

4th: Tommy Leach walks with 2 out, that's it.

5th: Klesko doubles with two out - and the Bucs go back to the pen to get Vic Willis; he was supposed to start Game 2 - but now he's burned with this appearance and you gotta like the Braves now to win this series.

5th: 1-2-3; Millwood's given up 1 hit.

6th: Andruw Jones reached on a one out error, then Lockhart singles after the second out - Hernandez singles - the inning ends Braves 11 Pirates 0

6th: Wagner singles with 2 out, that's it.

7th: 1-2-3

7th: Leach singles - but that's all. Tough day for the Pirates.  Could be the last tournament game in Pittsburgh.

8th: Simon singles and 2 outs later Lockhart walks, that's it.

8th: Clarke walks with two out, nothing else.

9th: Klesko walks with two out, that's it.

9th: Dots Miller singles but is erased on a double play -- Millwood then hits Byrne and gives up a Gibson single - but that's where it ends.

Braves 11

Pirates 0

WP Millwood

LP Camnitz

5 hit shutout for Millwood who also added a couple RBI. Chipper reached twice, hit a 3 run homer, Klesko reached 4 times, 3 times for Simon and Lockhart, 2 hits for Hernandez, Jordan reached twice.

Wagner/Leach/Byrne all reached twice for Pittsburgh.

We head to Atlanta - the Braves can end this thing.  

LF Clarke (36)   131  5.1

SS Wagner (35)  177  9.3

2B Miller (22)    121   4.7

CF Leach (31)   115   3.2

3B Byrne (24)    115   2.2

C Gibson (28)    109   5.4

RF Wilson (25)  106   2

1B Abstein (26)  97    .7

SP3 Maddox (22)  116  2.5

3B Jones (27)      169  6.4

LF Klesko (28)   128  1.2

C Lopez (28)      128  2

1B Simon (24)    109  .2

CF Jones (22)    114   7.4

RF Jordan (32)  104  2.5

2B Lockhart (34)  67  .3

SS Hernandez (29)  71  .3

SP2 Maddux (33)  126 5.6

1st: 33 year old right hander Greg Maddux stands on the Turner Field mound, 9 innings away from the next round; 19-9, 3.57, he gives up a 2 out single to Miller, nothing else.

1st: Vic Willis was needed to pitch most of game one; so the Bucs turn to 22 year old right hander Nick Maddox, if for no other reason than Maddux v. Maddox is fun, 13-8, 2.21. Chipper Jones opens with a base hit and then Ryan Klesko singles him over to third -- but the Braves leave them on the corners.

2nd: Byrne singles, steals second - and is driven home on a George Gibson single and the Pirates have their first run of the series. Chief Wilson then singles to put them on the corners and Gibson scores on an Abstein groundout. After the second out of the inning, Clarke singles - and that scores the third run of the inning. It's the Pirates who jump on top today, Pirates 3 Braves 0

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: Byrne singles with one away, that's all.

3rd: Hernandez leads off with a single, takes second on a passed ball, and after an out, an error puts Chipper on first- a Klesko groundout scores Hernandez and now it's 3-1. Javy Lopez singles home the second run.  Pirates 3 Braves 2

4th: Maddox singles with two outs off of Maddux, that's all.

4th: 1-2-3

5th: Wagner singles - steals second - and after the first out, scores on a Leach base hit.  After the second out, Gibson singles Leach home; the Bucs are doing all the hitting today they didn't do in game one. Maddux gives up a Wilson single - and that ends his day; Bobby Cox brings in Bruce Chen, 22 year old lefty and he ends the inning. Pirates 5 Braves 2

5th: 1-2-3

6th: 1-2-3

6th: 1-2-3, 10 straight for Maddox

7th: 1-2-3

7th: 1-2-3, 13 straight for Maddox

8th: Gibson singles and that's all.

8th: 1-2-3, 16 straight for Maddox 

9th: 33 year old lefty Mike Remlinger won 10 games in relief and had a 2.37 ERA, he gives up a two out Wagner single and then walks Miller, but that's all and we go to the bottom of the 9th.

9th: 27 year old right hander Babe Adams has a dozen wins and a 1.11 ERA and comes in to send this series back to Pittsburgh.  He gives up a leadoff single to Klesko and then after an out, walks Simon - that brings the tying run to the plate.  But the Braves do not score.

Pirates 5

Braves 2

WP Maddox

LP Maddux

Maddox beat Maddux and not by a little bit, really strong effort for Nick and Greg got hit pretty solidly.  Wagner/Byrne have each reached 4 times, Leach 3.  Gibson reached 3 times today, Wilson twice.

Chipper's now reached 3 times, so has Hernandez, Klesko 6, 

Showdown game at Forbes.  Winner take all.

CF Jones (22)    114   7.4

3B Jones (27)      169  6.4

C Lopez (28)      128  2

1B Klesko (28)   128  1.2

RF Jordan (32)  104  2.5

LF Williams (32)  99  1.3

2B Boone (30)     83   1.3

SS Hernandez (29)  71  .3

SP3 Smoltz (32)   141  6.2

LF Clarke (36)   131  5.1

SS Wagner (35)  177  9.3

2B Miller (22)    121   4.7

CF Leach (31)   115   3.2

3B Byrne (24)    115   2.2

C Gibson (28)    109   5.4

RF Wilson (25)  106   2

1B Abstein (26)  97    .7

SP3 Leifeld (25)  109 1.3

1st: One game for all of it - 25 year old Lefty Leifield was 19-8, 2.37, 1-2-3

1st: 32 year old RH John Smoltz gets the ball for the Braves; 11-8, 3.19, he hits Fred Clarke with the first pitch of the game - but that's it.

2nd: Klesko walks - thats it.

2nd: Byrne/Gibson single with one out, that's all.

3rd: Jose Hernandez triples with one out - after the second out, he scores on an Andruw Jones base hit and the Braves are on the board. Chipper singles, it ends there Braves 1 Pirates 0

3rd: Leifield singles with 2 out, that's all.

4th: With one out, Brian Jordan is aboard on an error, Gerald Williams sees his first start of the series, he singles and then will steal second - also seeing his first start is Bret Boone -- and he triples home both men and now the Braves have a three run lead.  Nice series for Hernandez - he singles home Boone. Braves 4 Pirates 0

4th: Dots Miller doubles with one out and then Tommy Leach singles, Byrne walks and the Bucs have the bases loaded up.  Gibson hits a sac fly to score the first run for the Bucs. Braves 4 Pirates 1

5th: Chipper walks and Javy singles - and after a Klesko double play, Jordan walks - but Leifield's able to hold the Braves here.

5th: Bill Abstein singles - two outs later he's standing at second when Wagner singles -- Abstein rounds third -- and is dead thrown out at the plate by Andruw Jones to end the inning.  

6th: Hernandez reached on a one out error and then Smoltz doubles to score him -- it's 5-1 and this one sure looks like it's over.  Braves 5 Pirates 1

6th: Miller doubles - two outs later Gibson doubles and the Pirates cut the lead.  Braves 5 Pirates 2

7th: Babe Adams enters for the Bucs; 1-2-3

7th: 1-2-3

8th: 1-2-3

8th: Wagner singles - that could be his final at bat in the tournament; that's enough for Cox - he brings in the lefty Mike Remlinger - he gets two, then walks Byrne but the Bucs don't score and we're headed to the 9th.

9th: 22 year old right hander Chick Brandom sees his first action; he's got a 1.11 ERA - he gives up a 2 out Chipper single, but nothing else.  Bottom of the 9th.

9th: The Braves closer is the notorious 24 year old lefty John Rocker, he's got 38 saves and a 2.49 ERA - Abstein singles with one out - but Rocker gets the next two and its done.

Braves 5

Pirates 2

WP Smoltz

LP Leifield

Of the 8 top seeds in the Regions, 5 are now dead - the Bucs franchise is out of this tournament. Like Millwood, a strong outing for Smoltz. Chipper reached 6 times in the series, Klesko 7. 5 for Hernandez.  Smoltz added an RBI today - let's make those two starting pitchers the MVPs.

The '99 Braves take this one - they will face the winners of:

58. 1905 Chicago Cubs v. 71. 2009 New York Yankees

-The 1909 and 1910 Cubs have both advanced; two more shots for this era in Region 7. There isn't a 21st century Yankee team moving forward yet; they have two shots left to do that. The Cubs are seed favorites but did not win the pennant - this Yankee team won the whole thing.

Yankees-Joe Girardi

SS Jeter (35)           125   5.9

3B Rodriguez (33)  138   5

1B Teixeira (29)      141   5.6

C Posada (37)         125   1.8

RF Swisher (28)     122    3.1

2B Cano (26)          121    4.9

LF Damon (35)      118     3.4

CF Gardner (25)    87      2

P Sabathia (28)      137     6.2

Bench

DH Matsui (35)      123    2.6

CF Cabrera (24)    93      1.4

SP2 Pettitte (37)     111    3.2

SP3 Burnett (32)    114    3.5

Probably a platoon in CF; if Gardner doesn't hit in game 1, maybe Melky comes on to face a right hander in game 2.  Matsui will DH in New York.

Cubs-Frank Chance

1B Chance (28)    159       6.4 

CF Slagle (31)      104       2.7

LF Schulte (22)   103        1

RF Maloney (27)  98        2.4

2B Evers (23)       94        2

SS Tinker (24)     79        4.2

3B Casey (35)      79        2

C Kling (29)        61         .9

P Reulbach (22)   209       5.9

Bench:

DH McCarthy (36)   92    .3

SP2 Brown (28)        137   3

SP3 Weimer (31)      131   3.3

SP3 Wicker (28)       147    3.4

Not a lot of bats on this Cub team and a really light bench; this team is really Chance and a bunch of starting pitchers.  No chance for any changes in the lineup - there's a LH/RH decision for SP3.  Cubs are seed favorites, but only have a WAR advantage at 1B-CF and that's it -- this is an overwhelming WAR advantage for the Yankees.

1st: Ed Reulbach is a 22 year old right hander; 18-14, 1.42 - he gives up a 1 out single to Alex Rodriguez and then Mark Teixeira is aboard via error. Jorge Posada singles - that scores ARod and the Yankees are on the board.  Yankees 1 Cubs 0

1st: New York's game 1 starter is 28 year old lefty CC Sabathia, 19-8, 3.37, Frank Chance opens with a base hit and an out later, Frank Schulte follows after the second out Johnny Evers walks and the bases are loaded - but Sabathia gets through it.

2nd: Three straight singles - Cano/Damon/Gardner -- Cano scores and it's 2-0; after the first out, Jeter singles to make it 3-0 and when ARod grounds to the right side, Sabathia scores.  Yankees 4 Cubs 0

2nd: 1-2-3

3rd: Cano walks with one out, that's all.

3rd: Jimmy Slagle singles to open, nothing else.

4th: ARod draws a two out walk, that's all.

4th: Evers singles and Tinker walks to open the frame - Doc Casey then singles to score the Cubs first run; Johnny Kling doubles and it clears the bases and there's still nobody out. After an out - Chance doubles - loud contact here in the 4th and the Cubs have tied this game at 4. Yankees 4 Cubs 4 

5th: 1-2-3

5th: Evers hits a one out single, that's all.

6th: With two outs, Reulbach hits Sabathia with an 0-2 count, then gives up a base hit to Jeter, but the game remains deadlocked.

6th: Reulbach singles with one out - but nothing results.

7th: With one out, Posada walks - after the second out, Cano singles -- and then Johnny Damon comes through with a base hit to left center - Posada comes around to score and the Yankees regain the lead. The Cubs go to their pen - there are only 7 pitchers on the staff, so they turn to their 5th starter, 25 year old right hander Carl Lundgren, 13-5, 2.23 -- he gives up a base hit to Gardner that makes it Yankees 6 Cubs 4

7th: 24 year old right hander David Robertson enters for the Yankees - 1-2-3

8th: Jeter singles to open the inning; two outs later Posada walks - that's it.

8th: 1-2-3

9th: Cano doubles - two outs later Girardi calls on lefty pinch hitter Eric Hinske - who singles - Cano scores the insurance run.  Yankees 7 Cubs 4

9th: After two perfect Robertson innings it's Mariano Rivera time; 39 year old right hander, 44 saves 1.76 ERA - 1-2-3

Yankees 7

Cubs 4

WP Sabathia

LP Reulbach

The Yankees take game one; 3 hits for Jeter; ARod reached twice, Posada reached 3 times, 4 times for Cano who scored 3 runs; 2 hits each for Damon and Gardner and 3 perfect innings from the pen.

For the Cubs - two hits for Chance, Evers reached 3 times.

We go to the Bronx - the Yankees looking to clinch.

1B Chance (28)    159       6.4 

CF Slagle (31)      104       2.7

LF Schulte (22)   103        1

RF Maloney (27)  98        2.4

2B Evers (23)       94        2

DH McCarthy (36)   92    .3

SS Tinker (24)     79        4.2

3B Casey (35)      79        2

C Kling (29)        61         .9

SP2 Brown (28)        137   3

SS Jeter (35)           125   5.9

3B Rodriguez (33)  138   5

1B Teixeira (29)      141   5.6

C Posada (37)         125   1.8

DH Matsui (35)      123    2.6

RF Swisher (28)     122    3.1

2B Cano (26)          121    4.9

LF Damon (35)      118     3.4

CF Gardner (25)    87      2

SP2 Pettitte (37)     111    3.2

1st: 37 year old lefty Andy Pettitte  14-8, 4.16, looks to pitch his club into the next round; he gives up a one out single to Jimmy Slagle, that's it. 

1st: 28 year old right hander Three Finger Brown stands on the Yankee Stadium mound; 18-12, 2.17, Teixeira reaches on error and then Posada singles - but nothing else.

2nd: Evers singles and after an out, Tinker walks. after the second out, Kling's aboard on error - and when Pettitte hits Chance the Cubs are on the board. Slagle then walks and that's 2 and when Schulte hits a two run single the Cubs are now way out in front Cubs 4 Yankees 0

2nd: After an out, Cano/Damon single and then Gardner doubles home Cano for the Yankees first run; a Jeter sac fly makes it Cubs 4 Yankees 2

3rd: Tinker singles with two out, that's it.

3rd: 1-2-3

4th: Kling singles to lead it off - but that's all.

4th: After two out - Damon walks and Gardner singles - Jeter then singles, Damon's going to score and it's Cubs 4 Yankees 3

5th: 1-2-3

5th: After two out - Matsui singles, Swisher walks, Cano singles -- Yankees have them loaded up - but Brown is able to keep them off the board.  

6th: Tinker singles, steals second, and scores on a Casey double. Cubs 5 Yankees 3

6th: 1-2-3

7th: 1-2-3

7th: Teixeira walks, two outs later Swisher singles, but that's all and we go to the 8th.

8th: David Robertson comes on for New York - 1-2-3

8th: The Cubs once again turn to their 5th starter, Carl Lundgren - he gives up a one out single to Gardner and the Yankees have the tying run coming to the plate.  But they do not score.  

9th: Kling singles - Chance and Slagle walk back to back and the Cubs have a chance to put this one out of reach.  Girardi turns to Phil Hughes, 23 year old right hander - he gives up a base hit to Schulte that scores two -- then a base hit to Maloney that plates a third, it's 8-3 and we are heading back to Chicago for Game 3.  Hughes gets the next two - but then Tinker singles to score two more and this game has been totally busted open. 28 year old right hander Jose Veras is next; he gives up a Casey single, the inning ends Cubs 10 Yankees 3

9th: 1-2-3

Cubs 10

Yankees 3

WP Brown

LP Pettitte

Yankee pen was perfect in game one but they got lit up for 5 in the 9th today; Chance has now reached 4 times; Slagle reached 3 times today; Schulte had two hits and 4 RBI; Evers has reached 4 times; Tinker reached 4 times today with 2 RBI/2runs scored; Casey and Kling both had two hits. 

Jeter has reached 4 times; so has Posada; 6 for Cano; 4 for Damon and 5 for Gardner.  

We go back to Chicago - winner moves on to face the '99 Braves.

SS Jeter (35)           125   5.9

3B Rodriguez (33)  138   5

1B Teixeira (29)      141   5.6

C Posada (37)         125   1.8

RF Swisher (28)     122    3.1

2B Cano (26)          121    4.9

LF Damon (35)      118     3.4

CF Cabrera (24)    93      1.4

SP3 Burnett (32)    114    3.5

CF Slagle (31)      104       2.7

1B Chance (28)    159       6.4 

LF Schulte (22)   103        1

RF Maloney (27)  98        2.4

2B Evers (23)       94        2

3B Casey (35)      79        2

SS Tinker (24)     79        4.2

C Kling (29)        61         .9

SP3 Weimer (31)      131   3.3

1st: 31 year old lefty Jake Weimer can pitch the Cubs into the next round; 18-12, 2.26, he gives up a one out single to ARod; this is his last chance to move forward, after the second out Jorge Posada singles and that's it.

1st: The Yankees hopes rest on 32 year old right hander AJ Burnett; 13-9. 4.04 -- he gives up a Jimmy Slagle single, but that's it.  

2nd: Johnny Damon hits a one out double, that's all.

2nd: Billy Maloney singles, but that's all.

3rd: 1-2-3

3rd: 1-2-3 -- 6 innings to go; who will advance?

4th: Nick Swisher singles with one out - but nothing.

4th: Frank Chance opens with a base hit; an out later Frank Schulte walks, but we head to the 5th, still scoreless.  

5th: 1-2-3

5th: Joe Tinker doubles with one out, just the Cubs third hit - but Burnett strands him and now we go to the 6th.

6th: ARod singles with one out; Teixeira follows with a single - and then Posada singles -- A Rod comes around - and he scores -- the Yankees break the seal - Yankees 1 Cubs 0

6th: 1-2-3

7th: Johnny Damon singles with one out, but it ends here - notably, Girardi lets Burnett hit for himself.

7th: 1-2-3 -- hell of a big time outing for AJ Burnett.  

8th: After two out, Teixeira doubles; Posada follows with a walk and then Nick Swisher doubles off the wall in left center -- that clears the bases - it's a big blow and now its Yankees 3 Cubs 0

8th: 1-2-3 -- Burnett's retired 11 straight Cubs and now the Yankees are 3 outs from advancing.

9th: Melky Cabrera singles with one out -- Girardi again leaves Burnett in to hit for himself - after he grounds out, Jeter singles and ARod walks -- bases loaded now -- can the Yankees put this one out of reach?  They can - Teixeira comes through again, he singles - that scores 2 - that's 5 runs and this one is over. Yankees 5 Cubs 0

9th: Frank Chance singles with one out -- but Burnett finishes it off.

Yankees 5

Cubs 0

WP Burnett

LP Weimer

4 hitter for Burnett to win the showdown game - Jeter reached 5 times in the series; Teixeira had the big game today; three hits and 2 RBI, those are his only hits of the series - Posada reached 7 times in the series and his RBI was the game's first - he also caught Burnett's game today; that's the answer - Posada and Burnett are the co-MVPs.